Verstappen Downplays Red Bull's Canadian GP Chances, Targets Podium Fight

Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen is managing expectations ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, suggesting Red Bull Racing may struggle to replicate its dominant form at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Despite winning the last three editions of the Montreal race, Verstappen believes the competitive landscape has shifted, particularly favoring rivals McLaren. Verstappen indicated that the specific characteristics of the Montreal circuit – notably the absence of high-speed corners and a significant demand on the rear tyres – do not play to the strengths of Red Bull's RB21 car. This assessment leads him to believe that challenging McLaren for victory is unlikely. Instead, the Dutchman's focus for the Canadian GP is firmly set on a battle for the podium. He identified Ferrari and Mercedes as the primary competitors in this fight. Verstappen specifically highlighted Mercedes' potential strength in Montreal, recalling their competitive performance at the track in previous years and suggesting they may be more competitive this season. While Red Bull has made strides in improving the general driveability of their car compared to last year, Verstappen acknowledged that certain weaknesses persist. The car still struggles notably with low-speed corners, navigating kerbs, and bumpy surfaces – features prevalent at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. Despite these specific challenges, Verstappen stated that the team is progressing in the right direction regarding overall car development. However, he stressed the immediate priority for the Canadian race is finding enough performance to secure a top-three finish rather than aiming for a win. His revised outlook suggests that Red Bull anticipates a significantly tougher challenge in Canada compared to recent seasons where they have held a clear performance advantage. The evolving form book among the top teams means races are becoming less predictable, requiring different strategic approaches and realistic targets based on circuit characteristics and car performance relative to competitors.